hermusings's Reviews (303)

“Family lore” is the perfect title for this book. It’s deeply rich in what this family has gone through the past generation and how combined with the family's Dominican culture, they’ve become who they are today.

It was a slow start but then I could not put it down. Each character was crafted with care and felt real. The interchanging chapters allowed for us to view the characters through their own self-reflection and not just what the others say. Which I personally loved how it made multiple events more comprehensible.

I learned loads about the history of DR and origins of cultural norms. 

It’s also a book about sisters, mothers & daughters which added extra depth and complexity to these characters.

At surface level, this is a book is a love letter to sisters but when you dig deeper you find that it’s also about grief, addiction and the lingering effects of how our families shape us (both good and bad). 

This has some of the most beautiful, painful & reflective proses. Mellors is a phenomenal writer who captured the essence & dialogue of how sisters are with each other. I’m excited to see more from her.

The alternating perspective of the chapters was interrupting to me. Which may have contributed to how long it took me to finish this. Also, the random mention of a painter from a settler country took me out of it for days!!! 
However, no chapter was wasteful. Each character was grounded and felt real. 

I’d recommend this book to those who enjoyed Writers and lovers by Lily King, have/are sisters and want to cry (!!!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, could not put this down.
Originally gravitated towards this book for the spooky season vibes (and it was available on my Libby), yet it surprised me at how fun of a read it was. 
Danan takes the silly plot and unrealistic circumstances the characters find themselves in seriously; making this story feel slightly grounded. 

Very few stories are as rich as this. Going into the second novel, it added tremendous weight to know (and in a way have lived) the lore that occurred in the first book.

Lila and Lenu have me stressed at every turn. Their stories are so peculiar and singular yet written in such a way that it resonates with my human experience in an alarming amount of ways.

That’s not to mention the prose, the parallels & foreshadowing made; along with the thought provoking commentary on class, gender upbringing and love.

As I felt with the first book, this was so rich that I need time to digest before even thinking of picking up the next book. Truly feels like I’ve just lived through something

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